Clay cortex in epikarst forms as an indicator of age and morphogenesis-case studies from Lublin-Volhynia chalkland (East Poland, West Ukraine)

- Three types of palaeokarst forms (dolines, pipes, and pockets) of different ages were described.
- Three micromorphologically different types of contact zone between chalk, clay cortex, and infill were identified.

Clay cortex from the contact zone between the host rock (chalk) and infilling deposits were examined in paleokarst forms (pockets, pipes, and dolines of different age) from the Lublin-Volhynia chalk karst region. In light of the sedimentological and micromorphological analyses, it seems possible to work out a model as the basis for genetic and stratigraphic discussions. (1) Dolines with the Paleogene or Neogene mineral infills are characterized by (a) homogeneous, residual type of massive clay gradually passing into the chalk monolith, and at the same time (b) relatively thick weathered zone. (2) Pipes with glacigenic mineral infill from the Saalian Glacial are characterized by (a) sharp contact between host rock and clay, (b) narrow weathering zone of chalk, (c) diffuse nature of the contact zone between residual clay and mineral infill, and (d) contamination of clay by clastic material. (3) Pockets with glacigenic mineral infill and traces of the Weichselian periglacial transformation are characterized by (a) strong contamination of chalk by quartz grains, (b) diffuse transition between clay and infill: from clayey matrix with single quartz grains (at the contact with chalk) to clayey coatings and intergranular bridges (in the infill), (c) intensive weathering (cracking) of mineral grains in the infill.